Bryan Clifford Zirkle

Name:

Clifford Zirkle Bryan

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-551168

Unit:

603rd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group

Date of Death:

1944-07-13

State:

Tennessee

Cemetery:

Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Li�ge, Li�ge, Belgium

Plot:

A

Row:

29

Grave:

9

Decoration:

Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart

Comments:

Clifford Zirkle Bryan was born in 1923, in Hamblen County, Tennessee. He was the son of Frank Waterson Bryan and Ida Flora Haun Bryan. He served in the 603rd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Bombardier of B-17 #42-97348 during World War II.

On July 13, 1944, the aircraft participated in a bombing raid over Munich. During the mission, the aircraft was hit by flak, which caused it to break apart mid-air. The plane exploded and crashed near Vlezenbeek, southwest of Brussels, Belgium. All ten crew members were killed in action.

2Lt Bryan is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Li�ge, Li�ge, Belgium. Clifford Z. Bryan's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 3 (right), on Butterfly 26, in the top left wing (section A).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org